Erase (spell)

Erase is a spell that enables the caster to remove images, lettering or symbols from a surface, wiping it clean of any written, inscribed, engraved or carved messages. Whether applied to parchment, stone, wood or metal, the spell can obliterate text and markings, making pages blank and returning etched surfaces to their original, untouched state.

Erase

Range	30 ft.
Duration	permanent
Area of Effect	1 sq.ft. per level
Casting Time	1 round
Saving Throw	none; see text
Level	mage (1st)

This ability extends beyond simple ink, affecting paint, charcoal, chiseled engravings and even embossed or raised lettering, allowing for an effective and thorough erasure of information. Among its more dangerous applications, erase can be used to destroy the text of a spellbook or a scroll, rendering them useless and unreadable. While a scroll is considered a magical item, the written words themselves are not inherently magical — a scroll functions in the same way as a spellbook, with the spell written upon it being activated through reading rather than by possessing intrinsic power. Because of this, erase is capable of completely removing the spell inscribed upon a scroll, an act that permanently erases its potential for casting.

Given this capacity to wipe out magical knowledge, the spell is often viewed with caution, and its indiscriminate use can be seen as grievous, even reckless, particularly in societies where written magic is valued or sacred.

Marks and Glyphs

When used against magically-charged writing, such as glyphs, runes, wizard marks or sigils, the spell faces greater resistance. These magical inscriptions are imbued with protective energy, making them more difficult to remove. As such, they are granted a saving throw vs. magic equal to the inscriber's level, allowing the symbols a chance to resist the spell's effects. If the saving throw succeeds, the magical writing remains intact, untouched by the attempt at erasure.

Despite its seemingly simple nature, erase carries significant strategic and disruptive potential. It can be used for forgery, sabotage, concealment and the destruction of powerful magical texts, making it a spell that is highly valued by spies, infiltrators and those seeking to suppress knowledge or safeguard secrets. Its careful and deliberate use can change the course of battles, rituals or the preservation of magical lore, making erase a spell that is both deceptively subtle and immensely consequential.